The Maine Affiliate of Susan G. Komen has announced its 2013 Grantees, awarding nearly $265,000 to eight Maine programs. Among the grants funded this year is the Breast Health Educational Outreach program at Fish River Rural Health (FRRH).

Fish River Rural Health (FRRH), a Federally Qualified Health Center with sites in Eagle Lake and Fort Kent, is the recipient of a $19,368 grant from the Komen Maine Affiliate. Funding allows FRRH the opportunity to continue to offer a comprehensive breast health education outreach program to their patients and the community population. FRRH has an established breast cancer support group called The Journey that meets every other month in Fort Kent. Due to the success of the first book Valley of Courage, FRRH is currently in the story collection phase of a second breast cancer survivor/family book, which will be called Valley of Hope. In addition, no-cost or low-cost mammograms and/or breast ultrasounds are available to qualifying FRRH patients under this grant. Last year alone, FRRH through Affiliate funding, assisted 7 qualifying patients for these services. Funding can also assist with travel reimbursement for patients to see specialists or receive care at treatment centers as it relates to breast abnormalities. In FRRH’s previous funding cycle in 2012, the agency was able to financially assist patients with travel reimbursement, which covered a total of 5,836 miles, which is an increase of 1,456 miles compared to the previous year.

According to Sue Bouchard, RN-BSN, Nurse Manager at Fish River Rural Health, “We are very thrilled and excited about this funding opportunity and look forward to providing breast awareness initiatives to our area residents in addition to releasing another breast cancer survivor/family book. In our first book Valley of Courage women shared that writing their story/journey provided an outlet for further healing and we hope to capture this same response with the second book, Valley of Hope.” FRRH credits the Maine Affiliate of Susan G. Komen® for their contributions to these efforts. Residents are encouraged to contact Diane Voisine at 207-444-5973 for more information on any of the above initiatives or to inquire about participating in the second book.

Since its inception, the Komen Maine Affiliate has invested over $3 million in education, screening and treatment services to the citizens of Maine. More than $840,000 has been invested in translational and innovative breast cancer research. To learn more about the Maine Affiliate and the many ways to get involved in Komen’s fight against breast cancer, call 207-922-3303 or visit www.komenmaine.org.

The Komen Maine Affiliate is part of the 120+ member Affiliate network of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the world’s largest and most progressive grassroots network fighting to end breast cancer forever. Local Affiliates serve as the face and voice of Komen for the Cure’s global breast cancer movement, mobilizing millions of everyday people through activities like the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure® Series, the world’s largest and most successful education and fundraising event for breast cancer.

Komen and its Affiliates are known globally for their dedication to filling existing gaps in breast health and breast cancer needs. To make sure they are addressing needs that no one else is meeting in their own service areas, Komen Affiliates work with local medical experts and community leaders to conduct comprehensive community needs assessments. These community profiles are then used to establish local grant application and review processes consistent with Komen’s promise to end breast cancer forever.